Police are hunting a street robber who sprayed a man with an unknown substance before cutting his jeans open to get money.

Detectives are appealing for information following the armed robbery in the Albertbridge Road area of East Belfast on Saturday afternoon.

They say that at around 3.20pm police received a report that a male approached the injured party and demanded money from him before spraying him with “a substance" then using "a knife to cut the pocket of his jeans to get money”.

The injured party received cuts to his arm and leg as a result of this incident and has been taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.

Detective Sergeant Keith Wilson said: “I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed this incident to contact Detectives at Musgrave Police Station on the non-emergency number 101.

“Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”